Last year, June 2, 2008, Bo Diddley died at his home near Archer - ending one of the most original and influential careers in music history. On Friday, the official renaming ceremony of Gainesville’s Downtown Community Plaza will have Alachua County Commissioner Rodney Long and Gainesville Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan on hand to unveil a large painting on the stage wall of the amphitheater. And the night’s musical tribute to Diddley will include family members, longtime band members and invited guest musicians.

Area tributes to Diddley will continue on Saturday with Yulee Diddley Day in Archer honoring its most famous musical citizen as well as David Yulee, Florida’s first U.S. senator and the man who spearheaded the building of the state’s coast-to-coast railroad in the 1850s. Events will include a 9 a.m.
parade, entertainment all day including performances by Diddley family members, and a first-ever, public exhibition of Diddley memorabilia as well as a raffle to win one of his signature Gretsch guitars.